Editorial: No homes for the brave?

We do our veterans a disservice by leaving them to languish on the streets

March 27, 2012

Many military veterans have returned from America's wars and re-entered society as successful workers, parents and community members.

But others haven't been so fortunate. Untreated psychiatric conditions, difficulties in adjustment to civilian life and addictions to alcohol and drugs have exiled an alarming number of veterans. Virtually invisible to most of us, they live on our streets, drifting along at the fringes of mainstream society.

Here in Hampton Roads there are about 2,500 homeless veterans, out of an estimated 107,000 nationwide. One out of every four homeless people in Hampton Roads is a military veteran. About three-fourths of the veteran homeless population experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems.

For 14 years, the Peninsula has been fortunate to have a transitional housing program operated by the Salvation Army on the campus of the Hampton VA Medical Center. Hundreds of homeless veterans have been helped there.

But the program is in immediate danger of closing. The VA has determined the century-old dormitory, which houses about 60 veterans, needs about $3.5 million in repairs and renovations to remain operable, and the VA has decided to demolish the building. If the Salvation Army doesn't find another site for the program by May 31, the program will be suspended and even those few will be back on the streets.

Finding another site with the necessary features — capacity, zoning compliance, fire code standards — is a huge challenge. A donated building is the best bet, and a few possibilities are in the works. But so far, a replacement for the VA Medical Center site has not been identified.

Because the origins of homelessness are complex, it is a difficult problem to address. Reducing the homeless population is not as simple as providing four walls and a ceiling, or coffee and a muffin – although there are many generous churches and local organizations that help with those needs, especially welcome during the winter months. But a long-term solution must address the underlying causes and not just tonight's need for a cot.

According to the VA, the most successful programs are community-based, nonprofit groups that involve veterans helping veterans with a broad range of transitional services. Housing, food, health care, substance abuse treatment, counseling, and employment assistance are all part of the formula for helping homeless veterans attain self-sufficiency as tax-paying productive citizens. The VA offers many supportive services along these lines, including a successful housing voucher program that has helped 33,000 veterans across the U.S. since 2009.

But a local bricks-and-mortar facility that provides immediate services is an essential part of equation. We hope that somewhere on the Peninsula there is an unused building and a generous owner willing to lease or donate space for our local programs.

That any American is homeless is a tragedy. But it is especially painful to see those who have served our country adrift and alone on the streets without work, without family and without hope.